Professors of the Faculty of Organizational Studies Eduka, Prof. Dr. Srđan Milošević and Prof. Dr. Tamara Gajić, together with their colleagues, have achieved an exceptional scientific success by publishing a paper in the prestigious international journal Agriculture (M21a). The journal Agriculture is considered one of the leading publications in the fields of agriculture, gastronomy, and sustainable development, which adds special significance to this achievement.
The published paper is titled “The Role of Food Safety in Sustainable Gastronomic Tourism: Insights from Farm-Stay Tourist Experiences” and is available in full at the following link: click here. The topic of the paper is highly relevant, as it focuses on food safety as a key prerequisite for sustainable gastronomic tourism. The authors emphasize that safe and high-quality food is not only a health standard but also the foundation for building trust among tourists. Special emphasis is placed on rural destinations, where local agricultural production and gastronomic offerings are an integral part of the tourist experience. The paper shows how food safety contributes to the competitiveness of destinations, as well as the sustainability of the communities that rely on tourism.
Through this research, the authors have succeeded in connecting three important segments – tourism, agriculture, and sustainable development – into a unified research framework. In this way, the paper contributes not only to the academic community but also to practical application in the tourism and agriculture sectors. The paper specifically analyzes tourist experiences during farm stays, opening new perspectives for the development of agritourism. It has been shown that tourists who have the opportunity to experience authentic, safe, and locally produced food develop stronger trust in the destination. This trust further leads to greater loyalty and willingness to return, which is crucial for the long-term success of a destination.
The paper also provides recommendations for improving standards and practices in the field of food and hospitality. It emphasizes that education, quality control, and transparency in the food production process have a direct impact on tourists' perceptions.
With this paper, Professors Milošević and Gajić continue to affirm their relevance in the international scientific community. Their dedication to research has been recognized previously, and this paper represents a continuation of top-level results. This contribution further positions the Faculty of Organizational Studies Eduka as an institution building its international reputation on the foundations of quality and innovation. It confirms that Eduka actively participates in the creation of new knowledge that shapes contemporary tourism and sustainable development. It is particularly significant that the research combines a theoretical framework with practical implications. In this way, it has the potential to serve as a basis for creating public policies and strategic plans in tourism and agriculture.
The results of the paper indicate that food safety is much more than a regulatory obligation – it is a strategic resource. Through the integration of these findings, rural destinations can increase their attractiveness and competitiveness in the global tourism market. At the same time, such an approach contributes to the preservation of authentic gastronomic traditions, which represents an added value.
The publication in the journal Agriculture testifies to the quality of the research work and its international relevance. For the Faculty of Organizational Studies Eduka, this is yet another proof of growing recognition and influence in the academic community. Our professors, through their work, set high standards and inspire future generations of researchers. This success represents an important step in the Faculty’s mission to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in the fields of tourism, agriculture, and sustainable development.
